Featured Post

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Countdown to Hiroshima: X-Minus 8 Days

Every year at this time, I trace the final days leading up to the first
(and so far only) use of the atomic bomb against cities, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. This is a
subject that I have studied and written about in hundreds of articles
and three books (including the recent Atomic Cover-Up on the U.S. suppression of film for decades and another on a Hollywood film)
since the early 1980s with a special emphasis on the aftermath of the
bombings, and the government and media reactions in the decades after.On July 29, 1945:

—Truman wrote letter to wife Bess from Potsdam on deals there (but
does not mention A-bomb discussions with Soviets): “I like Stalin. He is
straightforward, knows what he wants and will compromise when he can’t
get it. His Foreign Minister isn’t so forthright.“ Truman casually
informed Stalin about the atomic bomb but no one is quite certain that
the latter understood.

—Japanese sub sinks the U.S.S. Indianapolis,
killing over 800 American seamen. If it had happened three days
earlier, the atomic bomb the ship was carrying to Tinian would have
never made it.

—A Newsweek story observes: “As Allied air and sea attacks
hammered the stricken homeland, Japan’s leaders assessed the war
situation and found it bordering on the disastrous…. As usual, the
nation’s propaganda media spewed out brave double-talk of hope and
defiance.” But it adds: “Behind the curtain, Japan had put forward at
least one definite offer. Fearing the results of Russian participation
in the war, Tokyo transmitted to Generalissimo Stalin the broad terms
on which it professed willingness to settle all scores.”

—Assembling of the first atomic bomb continued at Tinian. It would
likely be ready on August 1 and the first use would be dictated by the
weather. The second bomb—the plutonium device—was still back in the States.
The target list, with Hiroshima as #1, remained in place, although it
was being studied for the presence of POW camps holding Americans in the
target cities.

—Secretary of War Stimson began work on the statement on the first
use of the bomb that President Truman would record or release in a few
days, claiming we merely hit a "military base," assuming the bomb worked.

is author of a dozen books (click on covers at right), including the new "THE TUNNELS: Escapes Under the Berlin Wall and the Historic Films the JFK White House Tried to Kill." He was the longtime editor of Editor & Publisher. Email: epic1934@aol.com. Twitter: @GregMitch

No comments:

ORDER MY NEW BOOK

Just published in October by Crown. Click on cover (above) to order at nice discount. It's a thrilling history of escape tunnels--under the Berlin Wall--and JFK's attempt to suppress NBC and CBS films about them at the height of the Cold War.. Hailed by The New York Times Book Review, Bill Moyers, and Frederick Forsyth, among others, and feaured by NPR"s Scott Simon. Paul Greengrass attached to direct movie. "A fascinating and complex picture of the interplay between politics and media in the Cold War era.” -- Washington Post. "A gripping, blow-by-blow account."--Publishers Weekly (starred review).

"Atomic Cover-up": Shocking suppression of U.S. film

How U.S. buried for decades the key footage from Hiroshima shot by the U.S. military. Click on cover above for my popular book and e-book.

My Book on the Bomb with Robert Jay Lifton

Acclaimed book on nuclear culture, and political and psychological fallout in the USA. Written with Robert Jay Lifton. Click on cover to read more or order.

Award-Winning 'Campaign of the Century''

"Upton Sinclair's Race for Governor of California--and the Birth of Media Politics": Amazingly influential and wild 1934 race with great relevance for today.

Hollywood and The Bomb

My book on MGM's 1947 epic on Hiroshima and creating the first bomb--and the White House censorship that wrecked it. E-book just $2.99.

New Edition of my "Tricky Dick and The Pink Lady"

The notorious Nixon-Douglas race in 1950, a New York Times Notable Book, now in new print and e-book versions.

New Edition of my book on Bush, and Media, Failures on Iraq

Preface by Bruce Springsteen. "Read this book--twice." -- Bill Moyers

New Edition of Our Beethoven Book!

G.M.'s book w/ Kerry Candaele, a tie-in to our new acclaimed film. E-book and print.

"Vonnegut and Me" E-book

Conversations and close encounters with the novelist. Click cover for more. $2.99.

How the President and the Military Censored MGM's Anti-Nuke Epic!

The truly wild and important story on the unmaking of 'Most Important Movie Ever Made.' Just $3.29. Click cover to order.

My Latest Book: On Hollywood Politics!

Why and when did the movie biz turn "liberal"? The full and fun story, and the left-wing election campaign that sparked it. Click on cover for more. $3.99.

Unique E-Book on the Obama-Romney Race

Probes campaign 2012 and the aftermath--plus 500 clickable links to key stories and videos! Just $2.99. Click on image above to read more or order.

Search This Blog!

New Edition of U.S. vs. Pvt. Manning Book

Updated: The saga of the whistleblowing soldier, written with Kevin Gosztola. Hailed by Glenn Greenwald, Daniel Ellsberg. Click cover for more.

E-Book on 2008 Election--and Lessons for 2012

Read about or order acclaimed book and e-book by clicking the cover.

Groundbreaking Book on WikiLeaks

The rise of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

My popular e-book on Occupy

The first book on the OWS movement, from late 2011, with hundreds of links to key stories and videos.

Blog Archive

My Book About Coaching My Son in Little League

Fun "classic" for all parents, optioned by Tom Hanks for a movie. Click on cover to read more or order.